I'm just getting back into model railroading after a (40 year or so) break since I was a kid. Back then it was an unfinished Tyco HO layout. This time I wanted to go N scale since I don't want to dedicate a large area. It all started back in August. I was cleaning up the basement and found an N scale set I had used years ago for Christmas scenes on a table. It was based around a Life-Like Li’l Joe set but I had also added some Bachmann E-Z Track. There was also an issue of Model Railroading Magazine from 1993 in the box! Thinking that this could be a lot of fun, I went out and bought a Bachmann starter set. Between that and doing a lot of looking online I settled on a small 2‘ x 3‘ layout using Bachmann track and one of the track plans from their website. I now use that as my practice layout trying various methods of scenery-making. While I was looking around the net I discovered T-TRAK and realized it is just what I want: N scale, modular & portable, I can work on it in small pieces, and has an enthusiastic community. I started with an oval of four corners and two doubles, all Kato Unitrack, based on their Super Chief starter. At the same time I found all those lovely Kato Named Trains and went a little crazy! All the ones I had wanted as a kid: Super Chief, 20th Century Limited, and the Broadway Limited. But those wouldn’t fit on that small oval so I’ve added a bunch more modules. Only one is finished so far. I’m also playing around to see what kind of yard I can fit on my table. I have learned so much from the ‘net, from several Facebook groups, YouTube, and I’ve joined the local club (Northern Virginia NTRAK) although of course I have yet to attend any shows or meetings except virtually. And DCC! Now THAT got me excited! So another purchase (before I discovered Kato or T-TRAK) was the Bachmann Roaring Rails with their E-Z Command DCC. I have not yet bought any higher-end DCC controllers but have already had as many as four trains, two with double-engine consists, on the tracks at the same time! I was grinning like an 8 year-old! I’m looking forward to joining the conversation here.
Welcome Aboard Ed, your on the right track starting a small layout at first. You can learn a lot very quick and not have a fortune tied up. A club is a great way to learn and this website too. Please don't be afraid to ask questions, we will gladly help you any way we can. My first N scale layout was a figure 8 with 2 spurs on 2x6 plywood board. Now I have around the 10x12 room layout that is 11 modules 12 inches wide and 32 to 58 inches long. Joe
Hi Ed, Welcome to Train Board. Boy, are you hooked, welcome to all the rest of us. Your eagerness to go forward is wonderful. We'll be happy to answer all questions. Also occasionally ask "Why did you do that?", and give a different perspective or recommendation. Glad to have you on board.
Welcome! Where did you get the 20th Century Limited platforms from... other than Kato... Also I found that the BWWB wiring will work good until you install a crossover, then it creates a dead short. My club, and thus myself, have adopted BWBW and use an auto reverser on loop back modules. The BWBW works with the crossover in DC or DCC. But the loop back under BWBW is a DCC only setup. Also if you are running DC and DCC at the same time... no using the crossover or a loop.
Yes, they are the Kato 20th Century platforms. After much reading and some discussion on FB, I went for BWWB but have made up some cables to reverse the inner loop if necessary. In fact, there is a double crossover there under the trains on the bare triple module and I have been happily moving trains between the loops. Works like a champ and if I ever get to a club display I’m compatible with their standard. DCC makes things so easy on a simple layout like this! Ed
When I had my layout wired BWWB I would get a short switching loops with my double cross over, in DC or DCC. when I was in DC I was controlling both loops with one pack, so it was not one forward one reverse.
Saw your post in the TTRAK thread, came over to say hi here as well. I’ve done the same as you, wired BWWB on the module itself and flipped polarity for the inner line’s bus at the command station. Makes it electrically WbWB, or is that BWBW? great work so far, envious at present of anyone with a full loop of track, lol.
Very cool stuff. I am thinking of doing my first T Trak module soon. Mainly because I have zero experience with landscaping. Ithought that could be a good platform to learn on and if I screw up I can throw the module out and not impact my full layout.